WIMBLEDON, England — Venus Williams has long been the stoic of the two famous sisters, containing her emotions, maintaining her cool. For the whole of her two-decades-plus professional career, Venus has left the public passion plays to Serena and has gone about her business with typically no more than a smile or a frown.
But mostly with the forbearance of a dedicated poker player.
And then came a news conference here on Monday afternoon that was as stunning as it was revealing of an anguish she has brought with her to Wimbledon, with the grass-court surface most tailored to her game and special in her heart.